Illinois Central/Canadian National Champaign Branch

[GaryHinshaw]

Great progress.  Shaping up to be quite a man cave. 

[nscalemike]

Thanks Gary,  I feel it is much more inviting of a place now then before, and after all if you are not comfortable in the room you likely won't get any work done. 

Time for what will likely be the last benchwork construction update.  Trains are coming soon!

After getting the main benchwork installed and the desk issue resolved I decided to turn my attention to the backdrop and valance.  In past attempts I have done these two things after I had started laying track and I have finally learned it would probably be easier to do it first.  I debated the valance design for several weeks.  I couldn't decide if I should take it all the way to the ceiling or do some sort of a floating shelf.  Also, I couldn't decided how I would support the floating shelf enough.  I didn't want to spend a lot of money, nor did I want to take a lot of time.  While thinking about it I couldn't help but to start laying out some industries:


This is the plastipak spur.  The blue is the outline of the building and the tracks are just laying there to get a feel for how it all fits.  This turned out to be worthwhile because I modified my design and put this spur at a bit of an angle.  It is much better that way.

Like every thing else with this project, I had an idea out of the blue in the middle of the night.  It is very simple design and I had thought about it before but always said it wouldn't work.  Turns out not only does it work but it worked great.

I had dozens of L shaped wall brackets on hand.   I decided to use those to support the valance, deck it with OSB for a shelft, and use 1x's along the outside edge to support the lights and hardboard face.  One of the issues I was concerned about was supporting the bottom and keeping it from moving in and out.  I really like the look of the light panels others have used here so I elected to do the same.  I figured this would provide enough to keep the hardboard from moving.

First order was to rip out the old backdrop and valance.  Next, I put a new backdrop up.  I used aluminum coil stock the last time and liked the smooth, solid, look.  I didn't like how thin it was though.  This time I used a roll of 14" tall aluminum trim coil.  It was factory finished on each side, white and brown, and much heavier than the plain coil.  I put the white side out so it would be easier to paint.  Next, I stapled a L channel along the top edge of the aluminum to support the light panels.  I wanted to conceal the entire shelf bracket above the backdrop, so I figured how tall the shelf needed to be to hide the biggest bracket.  It turned out 9" covered it.  I then put the brackets on each stud so the tops were even.  Where the layout depth is less I used smaller brackets.  Where it was more than the 12" depth of the bracket, I used 3/4" runners to support the OSB all the way to the front edge.  Then, I traced the outline of the layout onto the new OSB, cut it to shape, and fastened it to the brackets.  I took 1x2's and attached them to the front edge of the OSB.  I also attached my CFL lights along the front edge.  Finally, I cut the hardboard into 11" strips and attached that to the 1X2's.  I started on the wall with the door.  I was able to get that wall and the next short wall done in one afternoon.  The final product looked promising:


Note I also trimed the edges out with plastic channels.  It helps to give it a finished look. 

Once I was done with this I started to wire the lights up.  This turned out to be quite a pain trying to reach up and make all the connections behind the backdrop. 

Next, I started down the long wall. 


Here you can see the transition of the different steps, from left to right, the backdrop, L channel, shelf brackets, OSB decking, hardboard

I took this wall all the way to the light fixtures, then decided to wire them up before I put the hardboard on.  Much easier this way I found:



I also found I really didn't need to staple the hardboard, rather just screw it to the light supports.



With the valance constructed and the lights all working, I started to install the light panels.  I took more L channel and glued it near the bottom of the hardboard.  I clamped it and let it dry over night.



I ran out of clamps after about a 8' piece so it took me almost all week to get it all done.  Next, I started to cut the panels.  I first tried cutting it with a utility knife, score and snap.  It wasn't working out for me.  Decided to try my circular saw and with enough safety equipment to protect myself from flying plastic it worked great.  I planned out where I wanted my joints for good use of the panels and somewhat even spacing for looks.  I simply cut the piece to fit then attached the T channel front to back where the panel ended.  This went much quicker than I thought it would.  Two afternoons and I was done.





For the peninsula I framed it with the 1X2 and supported the outside corners with wood corner bead.  I think I want all three sides open for viewing but I may end up closing the end in with a solid piece of hardboard.  For now it is ok and much more stable than what you would think.



Finally, I painted the white aluminum a sky blue color.  Two coats covered nicely and it's starting to look a bit like a railroad layout!



Eventually I will patch the screw holes in the hardboard and I will paint it a dark gray color to match the light gray of the room walls.  I am waiting for that until I have the lower fascia on also.  That way I can paint it all at once. 

Next up, track and structures!

Thanks for reading and comments always welcome.

Mike

[BOK]

Mike, that's looking real good. With all the "hard work" of valence and facia construction completed it will be a great place to build any railroad and a great place to relax.

Thanks, for sharing your progress.

Barry

[Bendtracker1]

Looks like things are really coming together this time for you Mike.
The Valance is looking real sharp, clean and professional!

[mcjaco]

Very nice!

[nscalemike]

Thanks guys!  It has been a bit of a challange but turning out much nicer than I was expecting.  I really enjoy being in the room now, but its still a matter of finding the time.  I think I may have a few hours today though.

Mike

[GaryHinshaw]

Great progress.  Shaping up to be quite a man cave chateau. 

[Rossford Yard]

As an old Illini myself, thanks for modeling the CU area.  I am doing some consulting work for U of I that takes me back there this year, and I will leave a half day, if I can, to railfan your prototype and the old IC yard north of town.

I think you will be happy with the simplicity and operations of that layout.  It can get busy, as the Google link shows a few different sets of locos on that branch at the same time, providing of course, they aren't overlapping photos taken in two passes, meaning the locos are really the same ones at a slightly different time.....

[BOK]

Rossford:

Are you able to see different views from earlier years on Goggle Earth and if so how?

BTW you might want to try to schedule 30 min. to run out to Monticello to the Ry. Museum
as much has changed and it just keeps getting better and better, Even if they are not open
there is usually someone working around the place to chat with and to show you around.

Barry

[nscalemike]

As an old Illini myself, thanks for modeling the CU area.  I am doing some consulting work for U of I that takes me back there this year, and I will leave a half day, if I can, to railfan your prototype and the old IC yard north of town.

I think you will be happy with the simplicity and operations of that layout.  It can get busy, as the Google link shows a few different sets of locos on that branch at the same time, providing of course, they aren't overlapping photos taken in two passes, meaning the locos are really the same ones at a slightly different time.....

Thanks,  hopefully down the road some scenes will look familiar!  Granted my general railfan experience is limited but I think this is a great area for midwest action.  Champaign has a very steady stream of traffic through on the mainline.  I've had them leave the yard as quick as about 5 minutes from each other back to back to back.  But throughout the day you usually only have to wait an hour tops and something is moving.  Also, although not as often as a few years ago, you still get quite a variety of power, old IC, BC Rail, and now EJE, plenty of UP, and recently NS, CSX, and BNSF stuff showing up too.  About the only thing missing is the old GT stuff is all either retired or repainted to CN now, and I bet by the end of this year all the old IC stuff will be too.  Don't forget too, the CN line crosses NS at grade in Tolono, about 15 minutes south of Champaign and then the NS crosses UP on a bridge about 15 minutes east (I can't remember the town now).

That's an interesting observation on the Google link too.  I can't recall ever seeing more than one train on the branch at a time, so my first guess is the same train in photos taken different times of the day.  But, I have thought about operating the line with 2 trains if I have a guest.  One can leave first and switch the plastipak plant since it is the biggest customer and the other can leave second and take care of the smaller industries.  I'm guessing about the same amount of time for both, probably in the neighborhood of 1-1.5 hours if I plan it right. 



BOK:  I have the Google Earth download program and I can see earlier years.  In the bottom left corner there is a little clock with a backwards arrow, next to that it says 1994.  You click on the 1994 and it takes you back to images from that time and gives you a timeline box.  I actually have used images from 3/28/05 for a majority of my research.  1, it's the first really clear picture, 2, all of the spurs were still intact at that time.  The 1994 pictures are black and white with no detail and they gradually get better as you move up in years.  The funny thing is, some of the 2008/2009/2010 pictures are just as bad as the late 90's but 05 is just fine.  I find it very interesting seeing how much some things change in the last decade while other things are exactly the same.  10 years isnt that long of a time until you look at the deveolpment that has taken place!

Mike

[BOK]

Thanks, Mike I will check out that feature of Goggle Earth.

Barry

[nscalemike]

Time for a new update.  With the major build about wrapped up I have turned my attention to track and roadbed.  It was at this point I really noticed how much of a difference it makes when you model the prototype.  I have not had to 'think' about design ideas, rather, just balance the scale compression with my overall goals of a realistic representation of the real thing.  This has allowed certain things to go very quickly and I have know to leave areas free based on scenery issues to come later.  Anyways, on to the progress:

My first step was to lay out the outlines of the major features.  I worked in somewhat small areas, anywhere from a 5-10' stretch at a time.  I copied the track line, the outline of buildings, roads, fences, ect.  When I knew everthing would fit like designed, I installed the roadbed.  I started in the Plastipak spur.  No particular reason why but it's just what I picked.  I thought a bit about the roadbed and track elevation.  I had determined a bulk of the line had a decent elevated profile so I wanted to represent it.  However, certain areas had none, like the spurs.  I did not want to lay the track straight on the foam, so I used the standard N-scale roadbed for the entire line.  This worked out fine because when I put bases on my buildings it appears the track is ground level.  The main line also has approximately 1/4" thick cork under the N-scale cork roadbed.  This helps to elevate the main from the spurs. 

Here is a few pics of progress:

The layout drawing for the pennisula track, note the turnout outline, the two spurs, and building footprints:


Further east on the line, the RP lumber spur in the background and Hundman recycling in the foreground.  The laser helped to draw straight lines for the track:


Looking back west.  The foreground has the base cork in, while the opening is the creek area.  Beyond the creek both layers of cork is installed.  As of this time, the base layer is in for the entire layout and I am quickly finishing up the second layer. 


Things are moving along at a decent pace, not because of the amount of time I work on it but rather the simplicity of the design.  I am really enjoying this project and hope you guys enjoy the updates as well.  Track is coming not too far behind!

Thanks for reading,
Mike

[OldEastRR]

Wow, memories of Champaign railroading. I moved there in 1978, when the N&W (old Wabash) line still cut diagonally through Urbana to meet the IC at Randolph Street. For years and years an old Wabash PS-1 sat on a short spur at that junction. And that meant TWO separate railroad's lines running right across the middle of the intersection at University Street and Lincoln!
The IC/CN branch to the west curved south to meet the Illinois Terminal line, which was an interurban whose ROW was parallel to the IC. That RR went straight along Springfield to serve the city centers of both Champaign and Urbana. Just east of the Duncan/Springfield intersection the IT had a long spur that ran to a steel fabrication company. The ROW is now a walking path called O'Malley's Alley -- it was still overgrown brush, abandoned ties and some rails when I was there. If the plant's still there you'll be able to see the old spur tracks going into the plant.
Talking about industries in Champaign it used to have lots of rail-served ones, from the paper roll delivery track at the News-Gazette newspaper warehouse (old IC freighthouse) in downtown Champaign to the elevators for the Eisner bakery near the yard. A concrete plant east of Kraft, on that IC branch, used to have a service spur to take carloads of dry cement. And going way back, the P&E used to have a big passenger car shop in Urbana. Yeah, it was a pretty active RR town back in the day!
But relevant to your layout, does the Humko Run crew still park the train for lunch next to the McDonald's on Mattis and the tracks? Nice touch if you care to model that, McDonald's and all. Don't forget the patch of spilled oil on the ballast from the SW idling there during all those lunches over the years!
Too bad you couldn't have snuck Anderson Grain over from the NS line to the IC -- you'd have lots of switching then!

[nscalemike]

Thanks for the information OldEast!  Since I've only been here for about 9 years I don't know much of the old stuff.  Are you still around the area? If so, you may know some of this but here is the modern information to go with what you reported.

I sure did not know N&W went along the what is now NS through University and Lincoln.  I think I know this but can't recall right now, which line is NS running on now?  I couldn't imagine two tracks crossing that intersection today.  The only reason it is not much of a deal is because NS only comes through once or twice a week it seems.  And even then it's typically only a hand full of cars.  The problem is they always seem to hit that intersection right at 5:00 rush hour! 

Do you recall exactly where IC and IT met?  I believe based on your information of the IT going along Springfield to the center of Urbana brings me back to this blast from the past:


Urbana was putting a new crosswalk in the middle of Main St in front of the court house.  During prep work they found this.  I believe I heard it was part of an old trolley track but now wondering if it meant the Illinois Terminal system.  Either way, this turnout is now buried under fresh concrete for who know how much longer.

That spur you refer to as the OMalleys Alley, is now a paved walking path.  I've chased many a people down that "felony freeway".  Signs of the IT are long gone.  Always wondered what the big industry was at the east end.  Even the old timers I work with didn't know/don't remember what was there.  Steel Fabrication eh??  Now it is storage for Campus Property Apartments.  No signs of RR life there anymore

The bakery is about gone, if not completely.  They have been taking it down little by little and honestly cant remember the current status of it.  The concrete plant is still there, minus rail service.  Driving around I have seen some old track though.  I was not aware of anything about the P&E, honestly can't even recall who that was?? 

And yes, the Humko crew does still stop at McDonalds at Mattis for lunch!  Matter of fact there were there just last week!  Now that you mention it, just shy of Mattis was the east end of my line.  I might compress that stretch just a bit to fit the McDonalds in, then I have a prototypical story of why the train is sitting there when you walk in the room.  You pick up the rest of the crew after the lunch break. 

Finally, Anderson's is busy as ever.  They have some big addition going on right near where their yard meets the main.  Not sure what it is yet, but lots of hoppers in and out of there.  I think CN is actually switching that now mostly.

Anyways, thanks a lot for the info.  I really enjoy learning about this history.  Makes me want to find out even more!

Mike

Ps.  I must say, when I started this project I was really just looking for something I knew about and could copy.  Never thought it would stir up this many people and their "I remember my time in Champaign"  stories. I really do enjoy them all and hope my recreation in n scale will be a fair representation of what you all know it to be!  Really goes to show that Champaign is a well known place!

[DKS]

That's definitely not a trolley line, so it must be the IT.